Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 327 N 48TH ST N / Parcel ID 9522100295 / Inv # 0

Historic Name: Henry E. Compton House Common Name: Style: Arts & Crafts - Craftsman Neighborhood: Fremont Built By: Year Built: 1908   Significance This house is a notable but seriously deteriorated example of late Queen Anne - Craftsman design. It appears to have been constructed according to a planbook source; it is similar to popular plans known to have been promoted by the Radford Architectural Company of Chicago Illinois during this period; however, the design source has not been identified. On September 16, 1907 permit #53812 was issued to H.E. Compton to construct a “1 ½ story frame cottage 24 x 30” on this parcel for an anticipated cost of $1,400. Henry E. Compton was a house carpenter and building contractor during this era. The house is located within the Woodland Addition Supplemental plats to the Woodland Addition to Salmon Bay City, which was plated by Robert D. McFadden in February 1887 and was one of the earliest platted and developed residential areas in Fremont. When the original and supplemental plats were recorded N.48th St. was known as Compton Street. It is not known what association, if any, that Mr. Compton may have had with the creation of the plat and the naming of the streets. H.E. Compton and his family are not known to have resided at this house; however, they did reside nearby at 4717 Phinney Ave. N (1907) and 3803 Whitman Ave. N. (1908). By 1910, the family was living on Capital Hill at 510 E. Roy Street and by 1920 they were living in Benton County (Horn Rapids). By 1924, the house was owned by Orra G. Wilson, a bridge tender for the City Engineering Department. King County property tax records indicate that the interior was remodeled prior to 1937 and again prior to 1972.   Appearance Prominently located at the SW corner of the intersection of N. 48th St. and Phinney Ave. N. with front elevation oriented to the north. This is a much deteriorated, one and one-half story, wood-frame, single-family residence constructed in 1907. Exhibits distinctive late Queen Anne and Craftsman style design elements/features. Distinctive side-gable building form w/ prominent full width (6’) cutaway porch at facade. Measures approx. 24’ x 48’ with concrete foundation and basement level. Main roof is flared/bellcast over the cutaway porch. Hipped wide dormer roof at front elevation. Wide soffit at end gables with two polygonal bay windows below soffit at first floor east elevation. Clad with narrow horizontal cedar siding without corner boards at first floor level and with cedar shingles at base and gable ends. Distinctive porch features include square pillars with ornate solid brackets supported on solid rail. Late Queen Anne and Craftsman style design elements/features include: dramatic bellcast roof form; wide soffits, bay windows and cedar shingle cladding. Distinctive original wooden windows include diamond accent windows at gable ends. Original double-hung wooden windows remain in place but are in a much deteriorated condition. Portion of roof is covered by tarp. Original central brick chimney appears to remain in place.

Detail for 327 N 48TH ST N / Parcel ID 9522100295 / Inv # 0

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Shingle, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition-Shingle Building Type: Domestic - Single Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one & ½ Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Interior: Unknown Major Bibliographic References U.S. Census Records (1880-1920) King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996. City of Seattle DPD Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 327 N 48TH ST N / Parcel ID 9522100295 / Inv # 0

Photo taken Mar 21, 2009 Photo taken Mar 27, 2009